Kids get a hoot out of birds of prey at Medway Library

Friday

Aug 3, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 3, 2012 at 3:04 AM

Weighing in at 3.5 ounces, Julie Anne Collier’s saw-whet owl is as heavy as a Cadbury chocolate bar. "I’ve baked cookies that weigh more than her," Collier told the crowd of several dozen children and adults fascinated by the little bird.

Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

Weighing in at 3.5 ounces, Julie Anne Collier’s saw-whet owl is as heavy as a Cadbury chocolate bar.

"I’ve baked cookies that weigh more than her," Collier told the crowd of several dozen children and adults fascinated by the little bird.

But size can mislead. The saw-whet owl is the smallest bird of prey in North America.

Collier drew "oohs" and "aahs" with the saw-whet owl and her other birds of prey at Medway Public Library on Thursday afternoon.

A rehabilitator with the raptor rescue team Wingmasters, Collier brought along five of her 20 birds, including a red tailed hawk, screech owl, barn owl and great horned owl, to share facts – and debunk myths – about her feathered friends.

"Owls are not wise, they don’t sleep all day, they aren’t all philosophers, their eyes aren’t bothered by the light and owls don’t all hoot," said Collier.

The four-pound female hawk served as a comparison for the owls, which have beaks that curve down and soft feathers that make for silent flight and grim surprise for their prey.

"On a smart scale from one to 10, she’s a 10," said Collier, with the hawk perched on her hand. "Owls are a one. … They are not little philosophers."

Screech owls live all over the state, including in Medway, Collier said, but they are tough to spot because they are "perfectly, exquisitely camouflaged."

Collier’s largest owl, the great horned owl, is known for its fierce yellow eyes and tufts of feathers that resemble horns.

"She has eyes as big as yours, but she’s only five pounds," said Collier.

The great horned owl was a favorite of many in the crowd, including Katelyn Sklar, 8.

"I really loved it," she said.

Lastly, Collier brought out the white barn owl, her "disco dancer," which bopped back and forth as if it were hearing a tune.

Bird enthusiasts of all ages left the show with a better understanding of the raptors that elicited more curiosity than fright.

"I thought the show was great. It was amazing to see them," said Ailish Fahey, 11. "I learned that the hawks make noise and the owls fly silently."

Cindy Cole had seen Collier’s show before, but she wanted to bring her grandsons, Ethan, 9, Riley, 8, and Mason, 5.

"It was really awesome," she said. "I always learn something new."

Jessica Trufant can be reached at 508-634-7556 or JTrufant@wickedlocal.com